Review: A Dark Song

(imdb.com)

IFC Midnight is now one of the divine leaders in the horror industry. The distribution company has consistently hit the mark with their recent indie releases. From The Devil's Candy to Shelley and Carnage Park, to even some of their lesser received films like Don't Knock Twice, IFC Midnight has had a string of films that are at the very least, watchable. And for horror, that can say a lot. Their latest release, A Dark Song, only continues this trend as it easily takes a spot as one of the year's best scare fests.

A Dark Song follows a yearning mother and a struggling occultist who bind themselves into a long and arduous ritual so that she may speak to her dead son. The film stars Catherine Walker (The Clinic) as the damaged mother, Sophia and Steve Oram (Sightseers) as the alcoholic, last string occultist, Joseph Solomon. Spanning over roughly a year, both actors do pretty well in their roles. Walker is especially adept at playing the sometimes disgruntled and oft over tired Sophia, but Oram is just as entertaining as the somewhat comical, but definitely disturbed Joseph. A Dark Song works, largely in part of the invested work by Walker and Oram, whose odd couple relationship is both disturbing and compelling.

A Dark Song takes its time to get moving but provides enough insight into the world of occult to maintain intrigue. From establishing rules and rites of passage to the film's final moments, the brooding atmosphere of A Dark Song is deeply suspenseful. There are numerous scenes that some may find troubling - whether observing the difficult process that Sophia must go through to open her mind or an intimate scene between the pair that feels off-center and problematic, but all of this works to propel the dark spiral that'll have viewers gripping the edge of their seat.

The film mostly takes place in the house central to the ritual's effectiveness. Featuring outside scenery and sprawling rural landscapes outside, A Dark Song is able to take full advantage of B-roll footage that fill out some of the movie's creepier scenes. Inside the house, stuffy period furniture and plenty of candles and incantations on the floor all help create a vivid setting.

A Dark Song is fantastically mesmerizing; the type of movie that may start off slower than most, but will inevitably have its audience engrossed in their screens for the final act. This movie is definitely scary; featuring all of the atmospheric pressures of more artful films like The Witch paired with moments that seem swept from more outwardly horror films like Sinister, A Dark Song deserves your attention. 8 out of 10.

 

The Overlook: In Fear

(imdb.com)

For filmmakers attempting to break new ground in horror, coming up with new settings seems to be the way to go. From films that take place way up high like Flight 7500 to ones that venture beneath the ground like The Descent, a horror film that goes some place new always adds interest. That's why 2013's In Fear deserves recognition.

In Fear tells the story of a new couple who become deeply lost in the Irish countryside on their way to an isolated music festival. The majority of the film takes place in the couple’s car as they're pursued by an attacker in the dark. In Fear comes with all of the problems faced by a car-based horror movie, from wayward signs and a broken navigator to low fuel, and because of it, the movie sometimes crosses into conventionality. But, what saves this film is an overbearing sense of dread and claustrophobia which truly makes In Fear worthwhile. In Fear stars Iain De Caestecker (Shell) and Alice Englert (Beautiful Creatures) as the newly formed couple, Tom and Lucy, and Allen Leech(Downton Abbey) as Max, a stranger they encounter on the back roads.

In Fear is a relatively easy movie to follow, but definitely comes with some unsettling twists and turns. As the couple set out for the country side after a tiff at a bar and proceed to get lost on random roads, the growing sense of alarm creates compelling tension that will make viewers brace themselves for whatever happens next. Then, as the sun sets, the truly eerie feeling of In Fear sets in. We've all been there - on a backcountry road under the cover of night, where everything seems like endless darkness. This is where In Fear truly thrives.

The film's acting is also spot on. For Englert and Caestecker, their ability to work as a fledgling couple is innately truthful. The subtly at which they function - close with possible love on the horizon, but still early enough in their relationship where anything could end it, is noteworthy and for Leech not much needs to be said as prior credentials include the acclaimed Downton Abbey. This cast of young actors is certainly above averageness and deserves recognition for their ability to work with a very grounded idea and make it superb.

There are flaws in In Fear, but none are quite noticeable to make an impact on the resulting product. Some parts could be more clearly laid out, but the film as a whole constantly raps back to make sure viewers weren't left behind on the last bend. In Fear also makes the most of its indie camera work, making basicness feel closer to home.

You know that feeling you have when you're in complete darkness and you start to hear a ringing in your ear? That is essentially the base of In Fear. There are scares mixed throughout, but it is the overarching presence of nothingness that is truly terrifying. It's a quieter film, but one that is nonetheless, impressive.